10 memorable moments from the recall of Gov. Gray Davis, 10 years later

The recall gets under way

1. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) wrote nearly $2 million in checks to rescue the foundering recall effort and place the question before California voters in a special election set for Oct. 7, 2003. The vote came less than a year after voters grudgingly reelected Democrat Gray Davis. In this photo, college students working for an Issa-sponsored recall group open envelopes containing signed petitions -- and sometimes money. (Los Angeles Times file)

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Leno

2. Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy for governor on Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show,” catching many of his political advisors off-guard. Previously Schwarzenegger had been eying a run in 2006, the next scheduled election year. Issa, who had hoped to run, quickly stepped aside. This Oct. 8, 2003, photo shows Leno and Gov.-elect Schwarzenegger the day after the recall election. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Dianne Feinstein, Gray Davis, Jesse Jackson

3. U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, left, declined to run in the recall as an alternative to Gov. Gray Davis in the two-part election. (The questions put to voters: whether to recall the incumbent and, if so, who should replace him?) In doing so, Feinstein passed on a political position she had long coveted and convinced Arnold Schwarzenegger to enter the race. Here, Davis holds an anti-recall rally in Oakland with Feinstein and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Cruz Bustamante

4. Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante resisted entreaties from fellow Democrats and launched a “no on the recall, yes on Bustamante” campaign, urging voters to keep Davis in office but replace him with Bustamante if they opted to oust the incumbent. Bustamante finished a distant second to Schwarzenegger. (Los Angeles Times file)

Arnold Schwarzenegger with George Schultz and Warren Buffett

5. With great fanfare, Schwarzenegger announced the appointment of Warren Buffett as a key economic advisor. But Schwarzenegger abruptly distanced himself from the financial seer after Buffett told the Wall Street Journal that property taxes in California were too low and tax-slashing Proposition 13 should be undone. Schwarzenegger is seen here with Buffett, right, and former Secretary of State George Schultz. On the day of Buffett’s comments on Proposition 13, Schwarzenegger said: “My position is rock solid in support of that initiative.” (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Gov. Gray Davis

6. In a spirited and wide-ranging debate, five of the 135 candidates for governor shared a stage in Walnut Creek to discuss issues including taxes, the death penalty and campaign spending. Schwarzenegger declined to participate. Here, Davis appears alone on stage beforehand and vigorously condemns the effort to throw him out of office. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Schwarzenegger and Huffington

7. Schwarzenegger made his sole debate appearance, sharing a stage in Sacramento with four others bidding to replace Davis. The candidates tossed off barbs and swapped one-liners in an often-raucous session, with Schwarzenegger suggesting at one point that he would like to stuff the head of independent candidate Arianna Huffington into a toilet. (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)

‘Women Say Schwarzenegger Groped, Humiliated Them’

8. Six days before the vote, the Los Angeles Times published a front-page article quoting a half-dozen women who came into contact with Schwarzenegger on movie sets, in studio offices and in other settings, and who said he touched them in a sexual manner without their consent. ()

‘Schwarzenegger Tells Backers He “Behaved Badly”’

9. Schwarzenegger confirmed the substance of The Times’ article, saying, “Wherever there is smoke there is fire. That is true. So I want to say to you, yes, I have behaved badly sometimes.” He apologized at a rally in San Diego. His wife, Maria Shriver, stood by his candidacy, effectively squelching the issue in the final days of the campaign. ()

Gray Davis is recalled

10. Davis became only the second sitting governor in U.S. history to be recalled from office. The vote was 55% to 45% in favor of the recall. Schwarzenegger was elected to replace Davis with 49% of the vote. Here, Davis concedes defeat in L.A.'s Biltmore Hotel, an abrupt end to a 30-year political career. His wife, Sharon, wipes tears from her eyes. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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10 memorable moments from the recall of Gov. Gray Davis, 10 years later